Zaire: Statement of Humanitarian Agencies on the Kivu Crisis, 10/29/96

Zaire: Statement of Humanitarian Agencies on the Kivu Crisis, 10/29/96

Statement of Humanitarian Agencies on the Kivu Crisis
in Zaire

Nairobi, 29 October, 1996

The following statement reflects the views of participants
from UN agencies and NGOs present at a meeting in Nairobi
on 28 and 29 October 1996 which convened in order to
agree on actions required in North and South Kivu,
Zaire. The UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)
called the meeting to review the present crisis and
share information on humanitarian strategies, operational
plans and constraints.

As the UN Secretary-General noted in his 24 October
letter to the Security Council, the situation in North
and South Kivu is already a grave political and humanitarian
crisis for both Zaireans and refugee populations in
the area, as well as for the stability of the region.
During the last week, military activity in border areas
has escalated, and an estimated 500,000 people are
on the move throughout the Kivu sub-region.

The major effects of the conflict have been to disperse
refugee populations, as well as to displace large numbers
of Zaireans from their homes. At present it appears
that the majority of refugees are remaining within
Zaire, as large return movements to Rwanda and Burundi
have not occurred.

Certain areas of North and South Kivu are war zones,
and conflict and insecurity make the delivery of humanitarian
assistance virtually impossible. Humanitarian personnel
seeking to work in the area have been subjected to
death threats, have experienced acts of violence against
their staff, had their vehicles stolen and property
taken. Humanitarian organizations have had no positive
responses to their demands for guarantees of security
and access to vulnerable populations.

Despite these constraints, humanitarian organizations
are ready to return to the region as soon as practically
possible. The major constraints of lack of security
and access must be addressed by discussions with the
authorities in Kinshasa as well as local leaders.
In order for humanitarian organizations to recommence
work in Uvira, negotiations with local leaders will
be necessary, while at the national level it must be
made clear that these are for the purposes of humanitarian
access only, and do not amount to political recognition
of any local forces or put into question the territorial
integrity of Zaire.

It may also be necessary to undertake negotiations in
areas held by rebel forces to allow safe passage for
those refugees seeking to return to their country of
origin. Discussions with other regional governments
will also be needed to allow aid to be transported
to these affected areas in Zaire, when that becomes
possible. Humanitarian agencies will do all they can
to impartially assist members of all vulnerable groups.
Humanitarian organizations will also send the unequivocal
message to the international community that a lasting
political solution is vital, and will only be achieved
once the nationality question, and other underlying
issues including the presence of refugees, are addressed.

The following agencies attended the meeting. Those in
brackets were not present when this document was finalized:

ACTIONAID

CARE INTERNATIONAL

(CHRISTIAN AID)

MSF

(MDM)

(NORWEGIAN CHURCH AID)

(OXFAM UK AND IRELAND)

SAVE THE CHILDREN UK

(UMCOR)

(ICRC)

(IFRC)

DHA

UNICEF

WFP

(WHO)

[ENDS]

[Via the UN DHA Integrated Regional Information Network.
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